FF/Nrg - Get away from me!

My FF/Nrg defender is getting close to level 38. I mix teaming and soloing currently, but once I hit the mid-late 40s I will probably mostly team. I am trying to decide what to do with my late power picks. I often end up grabbing a bit of aggro, which didn't use to be too problematic, but in the last few levels it has gotten a bit more dangerous, so I am definitely eyeing up PFF as my lvl 38 pick (I really have no interest in Nova on this character). I do not yet have Detention Field and although I would like it, I do not seem to have slots to spare for it anyway. How does it work with just the base slot filled with an Accuracy?

I do tend to be in melee range of enemies, preferring to stay right at the edge of spawns (ensuring my DB covers most of the team), so I often get plunked by AoE damage even when I am not getting aggro myself. I built to cap AoE defense, and I'd like more ranged, but the cost is high for the IOs that do that.

I am trying to keep the build relatively cheap, the only expensive IOs I am planning to slot would be the Heal sets.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.401
http://www.cohplanner.com/

[u]Click this DataLink to open the build![u]

Spanish Vampire: Level 50 Magic Defender
Primary Power Set: Force Field
Secondary Power Set: Energy Blast
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Power Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Deflection Shield -- S'dpty-Def/EndRdx(A), S'dpty-Def/Rchg(3), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(9), S'dpty-Def(34), S'dpty-EndRdx(39)
Level 1: Power Bolt -- Ruin-Acc/Dmg(A), Ruin-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Ruin-Dmg/Rchg(25), Ruin-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(29), Ruin-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37)
Level 2: Force Bolt -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(25), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 4: Energy Torrent -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(5), Det'tn-Dmg/Rng(7), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(17), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(23)
Level 6: Insulation Shield -- S'dpty-Def/EndRdx(A), S'dpty-Def/Rchg(7), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(9), S'dpty-Def(34), S'dpty-EndRdx(39)
Level 8: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 10: Power Burst -- Ruin-Acc/Dmg(A), Ruin-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Ruin-Dmg/Rchg(11), Ruin-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Ruin-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(17), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23)
Level 12: Dispersion Bubble -- S'dpty-Def/EndRdx(A), S'dpty-Def/Rchg(13), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(13), S'dpty-Def(15), S'dpty-EndRdx(34)
Level 14: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Numna-Heal(46), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(46), Mrcl-Rcvry+(48), Mrcl-Heal(48), RgnTis-Regen+(48)
Level 16: Combat Jumping -- DefBuff-I(A)
Level 18: Maneuvers -- S'dpty-Def/EndRdx(A), S'dpty-Def/Rchg(19), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(19), S'dpty-Def(37), S'dpty-EndRdx(39)
Level 20: Stamina -- Efficacy-EndMod(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(21), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc(21), Efficacy-EndMod/EndRdx(40)
Level 22: Tactics -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(33), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(40), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(40), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(42), GSFC-Build%(42)
Level 24: Super Jump -- Jump-I(A)
Level 26: Repulsion Bomb -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx(27), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(27), Rope-Acc/Stun/Rchg(29), Rope-Acc/Rchg(42), AirB'st-Dmg/Rchg(43)
Level 28: Aim -- GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(43), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(43)
Level 30: Power Blast -- Ruin-Acc/Dmg(A), Ruin-Dmg/EndRdx(31), Ruin-Dmg/Rchg(31), Ruin-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Ruin-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33)
Level 32: Force Bubble -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(33)
Level 35: Explosive Blast -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(36), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(37)
Level 38: Personal Force Field -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 41: Power Build Up -- GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(45), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(45)
Level 44: Vengeance -- S'dpty-Def/EndRdx(A), S'dpty-Def/Rchg(45), S'dpty-EndRdx/Rchg(46), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(50), S'dpty-Def(50)
Level 47: Acrobatics -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 49: Temp Invulnerability -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Vigilance
------------
[u]Set Bonus Totals:[u]<ul type="square">[*]2.5% DamageBuff(Smashing)[*]2.5% DamageBuff(Lethal)[*]2.5% DamageBuff(Fire)[*]2.5% DamageBuff(Cold)[*]2.5% DamageBuff(Energy)[*]2.5% DamageBuff(Negative)[*]2.5% DamageBuff(Toxic)[*]2.5% DamageBuff(Psionic)[*]4.25% Defense(Smashing)[*]4.25% Defense(Lethal)[*]12.1% Defense(Fire)[*]12.1% Defense(Cold)[*]6.75% Defense(Energy)[*]6.75% Defense(Negative)[*]3% Defense(Psionic)[*]5.5% Defense(Melee)[*]6.75% Defense(Ranged)[*]21.1% Defense(AoE)[*]15% Enhancement(Accuracy)[*]15% FlySpeed[*]160.2 HP (15.8%) HitPoints[*]15% JumpHeight[*]15% JumpSpeed[*]MezResist(Sleep) 4.95%[*]MezResist(Terrorized) 4.95%[*]8.5% (0.14 End/sec) Recovery[*]48% (2.04 HP/sec) Regeneration[*]5.63% Resistance(Energy)[*]1.88% Resistance(Toxic)[*]15% RunSpeed[*]5% XPDebtProtection[/list]

[ QUOTE ]
I do not yet have Detention Field and although I would like it, I do not seem to have slots to spare for it anyway. How does it work with just the base slot filled with an Accuracy?

[/ QUOTE ]

Just fine. If I ever add a slot to Detention Field, it's only for another accuracy, which is usually overkill.

I can't help you with the rest, I never learned how to deal with set bonuses, nor do I want to. I see them as frosting on the cake, and they're not something that I "build for".

The AoE defense is pretty impressive.

Warning: the 5th bonus for AoE defense in Detonation is bugged at the moment. You will only receive it if you have all six Detonations.

I'd sub out all the Ruins, find an extra slot for Power Bolt and Power Blast, and put in Thunderstrikes. This gives you 11.25% ranged def at the expense of 5.6% of AoE.

Skip Acrobatics and slot a karma -kb, which you can easily pick up for under 3 million (or if you can afford it, a Zephyr -kb), maybe in PFF. Grab Detention Field there?

You'll have to cannibalize two or four slots, but two of the Zephyrs can be had for 1-3 million (including salvage) with patience, and you can add another 6.26% ranged defense by double-slotting CJ and SJ. I would rather have the Zephyr -kb than the Miracle/Numina myself (comparable prices), and there you could make up the AoE def lost by dropping Ruin.

I've found that having softcapped range defense and 36-40 AoE (thank you, Detonation bug) makes life exceedingly sweet in the late 30s/40s. I used Detention Field some in the low levels, but respec'd out to get Box/Tough/Weave, and haven't missed it much at all. I did have to sacrifice Tactics and the third slow-activating ST blast for it, though. (And no Vengeance, sadly.)

From your Force Bubble slotting you turn it on and off a lot?

Well, even if you're trying to stay away from expensive IOs, I'd drop acro in favor of a -KB io. They aren't actually too expensive nowadays, and at worst, you can buy one with merits. Mostly, it's because you can really do without the extra end cost - my FF/NRG is frankenslotted on all attacks and doesn't have tactics, and he still can run low if I'm not careful. You have the recovery uniques in that build, true, but it'd be nice to not *need* to rely on their presence.

Personal force field is a must. Definitely grab it as soon as you can. As you've noticed, some of FF's AoE tricks can really annoy mobs, and having PFF lets you manipulate that fact in ways that would just get you killed otherwise. Not to mention that it lets you jump-start cowardly tanks by taking the alpha for them.

Detention field can work just fine with only one slot. Like force bolt, it's got a 40% accuracy bonus - so one accuracy SO/IO is plenty enough to ensure hits up to +2s with no problem. I personally have it slotted 1 acc, 1 rech, but the rech is really just me being greedy.

Aside from that, it looks relatively solid. The order of some of your power choices makes me wince a bit, but since you're already past those levels it's kinda a moot point. I personally am trying to build for ranged defense, not AoE, but you're right in that it tends to be more expensive. I just want it so that I can herdicane with force bubble.

I'd go something like this. It should be similar on price. It cost you some regen but honestly with the amount of defense that you have your problem will be incoming burst damage that gets through and not regen rate.

The only thing that Acro gives you that you don't all ready have is -KB and your end use worries me. I'd switch to the -KB IO. My forcefielder has lower end use and higher recovery than yours and still has occasional end problems.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.401
http://www.cohplanner.com/

[u]Click this DataLink to open the build![u]

Spanish Vampire: Level 50 Magic Defender
Primary Power Set: Force Field
Secondary Power Set: Energy Blast
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Power Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Deflection Shield -- GftotA-Def/EndRdx(A), GftotA-Def/Rchg(3), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(9), GftotA-Def(34)
Level 1: Power Bolt -- Ruin-Acc/Dmg(A), Ruin-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Ruin-Dmg/Rchg(25), Ruin-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(29), Ruin-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37)
Level 2: Force Bolt -- FrcFbk-Dmg/KB(A), FrcFbk-Acc/KB(25), FrcFbk-Rchg/KB(39), FrcFbk-Rchg/EndRdx(39), FrcFbk-Dmg/EndRdx/KB(50), FrcFbk-Rechg%(50)
Level 4: Energy Torrent -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(5), Det'tn-Dmg/Rng(7), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(17), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(23)
Level 6: Insulation Shield -- GftotA-Def/EndRdx(A), GftotA-Def/Rchg(7), GftotA-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(9), GftotA-Def(34)
Level 8: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 10: Power Burst -- Ruin-Acc/Dmg(A), Ruin-Dmg/EndRdx(11), Ruin-Dmg/Rchg(11), Ruin-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(15), Ruin-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(17), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23)
Level 12: Dispersion Bubble -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(13), RedFtn-EndRdx/Rchg(13), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(15), RedFtn-Def(34), RedFtn-EndRdx(39)
Level 14: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Numna-Heal(46), Mrcl-Rcvry+(48), Mrcl-Heal(48)
Level 16: Combat Jumping -- DefBuff-I(A)
Level 18: Maneuvers -- S'dpty-Def/EndRdx(A), GftotA-Def/EndRdx(19), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(19), Ksmt-Def/EndRdx(37)
Level 20: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(21), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(21), P'Shift-Acc/Rchg(33), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(40), P'Shift-End%(48)
Level 22: Tactics -- GSFC-ToHit(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(33), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(40), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(40), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(42), GSFC-Build%(42)
Level 24: Super Jump -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(46)
Level 26: Repulsion Bomb -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx(27), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(27), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(29), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), KinCrsh-Rechg/EndRdx(43)
Level 28: Aim -- AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(A), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(43), AdjTgt-Rchg(43)
Level 30: Power Blast -- Ruin-Acc/Dmg(A), Ruin-Dmg/EndRdx(31), Ruin-Dmg/Rchg(31), Ruin-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Ruin-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33)
Level 32: Force Bubble -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 35: Explosive Blast -- Det'tn-Acc/Dmg(A), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx(36), Det'tn-Dmg/Rchg(36), Det'tn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36), Det'tn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rng(37)
Level 38: Personal Force Field -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 41: Power Build Up -- AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(A), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(45), AdjTgt-Rchg(45)
Level 44: Vengeance -- RedFtn-Def/Rchg(A), S'dpty-Def/Rchg(45), GftotA-Def/Rchg(46)
Level 47: Temp Invulnerability -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), S'fstPrt-ResKB(50)
Level 49: Detention Field -- Acc-I(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Vigilance



<font class="small">Code:[/color]<hr /><pre>| Copy &amp; Paste this data into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
|MxDz;1416;738;1476;HEX;|
|78DAA593494F535114C7CFEB40A123A5D01628651E0AE5417 70E0B1304120C98069|
|595DA94F2DA3E535E9BB60E2C4C70DAB962726524CE2E0461 A112E25EBF827E1237|
|D633BCE24277BEB4FFDFBBB7FF73EEB9F7DC2EDC997603AC9 F03C57BBE90AE5452D|
|35A563356B4B27D219DD333BE4BA5B4A157F23D4BE9D5925E D61C00D05EB7A4A66E|
|66B3EA6CB19CD152B3BA5658899CFCB2983672DA8A3A6368E 5DC5A6A0A3357FD734|
|65E2B6B4655ADBFB893C562419DD5AB8656A9C8605E4B9774 23E7AB0F305725AF97|
|FC3C9E336EE9157D592FE8D5B59699929E5193C5DBB8D8026 6D7CA6B61AC2D86DFA|
|C05CCA766059B02D005163BA3D1C1E86D647CFCE3B3C106B0 6F9311DE6244B61903|
|3B8C1CDA15B1DB95751C24207C8F31745FF08091782878C4F 88C6A35A3ACEF39916|
|D4FB0CF68F8C0683E64040F18798CB29B5BB0CB161AFEB585 06EC87838BAA816384|
|438F30B4C95CB04976E5945D3965575ED955B3EC2AF89C710 3A35C92C8EE72726EB|
|74BE066783DB2AE9731E4633870798F44593D4BF81287F12B 8C890B886198986304|
|D1E733CBF44581CEC58F537E33D4FF0BC8D56263730B2D9F8 0819F20FB050898850|
|5362C34D5BA29D862F46C33867718134F18018C6A33A3DA5E 8AEFB5F8DE0A5E3162|
|6F2C546DEC1D23845121393A25F49D0DE33F1805D476F350D BA98BBDD0B127D8674|
|40E19B103C6E85DEEFD316AA744593A9FE1200AA3BB82176C F8C4C9E5067649AFA2|
|D2ABA8F42A2ABDEA915EADA2BD5BECD03DC6C7F805A7FACC0 C7D72BDFAE57AF5CBF|
|5EA970B3520D74B43FBA099619032C4E12BDECE11B3C8112A 720CE2BB0229B2D541|
|03318CB9B837F11A376CDCCE0DFB861954396C450DF1C5488 4193A269834979BECE|
|08223B6933F1D7EF081F9BF6692B6937F1A283C73913CB2C4 7F3D47EE7A9EA64527|
|EA6592248AB2446F5749AED1F03ABDA5E96D992443C3DAB1B B5EA9EF1415749AE40|
|CC95992C76472B8505C246E120F8997C447D24C1220099274 903C25A9FD064CB704|
|A7|
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre><hr />

Just a quick note

The 5th set bonus on detonation was fixed as of Thursdays patch - YAY